The Final Six (The Final Six #1) - Alexandra Monir Page 0,59
trying to clear the illusion from my mind. One of us here needs to remain levelheaded.
“Could there be an exception to that nucleus rule?” I ask.
“There’s only ever been one possible exception, and it’s highly contested by scientists anyway. But even that exception, in the Planctomycetes, has just one nucleus-like structure. The idea of a bacteria species from Earth with three nuclei is an impossibility. And there’s more.” Naomi starts pacing the short width of the tower, as if her body can’t keep still under the magnitude of her discovery. “Jian translated the phrase Suki kept repeating that night—tā hái huózhe. He said it means ‘It’s alive.’” She looks at me with wild eyes, and I can’t tell whether she’s afraid or excited—or both. “Don’t you see the connection?”
“Um . . .”
“I think when she went into her altered state after the second dose, her body could somehow feel what was in the RRB—that it comes from something living.” Naomi’s voice drops to a whisper. “Something like . . . the extraterrestrials of Europa.”
My eyebrows shoot up. Is this her trying to be funny? Or—
“And I think Callum had the same reaction before the submersible accident,” she continues. “That’s why he acted so out of character, why he seemed—according to his teammates—possessed.”
“Extraterrestrials? As in, little green men?”
She stops pacing, narrowing her eyes at me.
“I never bought that description of them, but yeah—intelligent life. And by the way, I’m hardly the first person to suspect ETs on Europa. I’m guessing you haven’t been on the Space Conspirator?”
I shake my head.
“It’s this amazing website my brother and I have been following for years, that uses cutting-edge science to debunk myths and prove new theories,” she explains. “And for months now they’ve been posting detailed reasoning for why extraterrestrial life is not just possible, but theoretically has to exist on Europa, due to its high-energy particle environment and tidally heated subsurface ocean. The space agencies refuse to take the Conspirator seriously or address the claims head-on, but if there’s one thing I believe in, it’s science—and the Conspirator is right. The chemicals and particles that exist on Europa are known to create life.”
She finally pauses to take a breath. “So that means the ISTC isn’t just planning to send us to another part of the universe—they’re sending us into the unknown. A world where we’re not the first.”
I stare at her. Now I understand why she’s been wary of the mission from the beginning.
“You really believe in this stuff?”
“I do. Now more than ever. And I’m telling you all this because I’m going to prove it . . . and there might come another time, like last night, where I need an accomplice.”
“You better tell me what you’re planning, then.”
Even though I’m nearly certain she’s chasing something that doesn’t exist, I can’t deny the rush of satisfaction I feel that she’s chosen me to confide in. Maybe I’m not so alone in the feelings I’m starting to have.
“What I need to do is find biosignatures,” Naomi says. At another quizzical look from me, she rolls her eyes. “Did you pay any attention in science class, or were you too busy swimming?”
“Too busy swimming,” I affirm. We share a grin before she continues.
“Biosignatures are substances like elements, molecules, isotopes, and so on that provide tangible evidence of life. If I could find some way to get into the data from the Europa flyby mission, that’s the first thing I would look for.”
“But wouldn’t the whole world know about it, if there were these so-called biosignatures?” I ask.
“Only if the powers that be decided to share the information with the world. And why would they? It would only jeopardize our mission. Besides, who knows if anyone who had access to the data was even looking for biosignatures?”
Naomi suddenly stops in place, her posture straight as an arrow. I can practically see the light bulb going off in her mind.
“The robots,” she breathes. “They were there. They circled Europa thirty-six times in their probe, close enough to collect the data I need. If there are biosignatures to be found, they have to still be stored within Dot and Cyb.” Her body trembles with excitement. “I may not be able to get into NASA’s supercomputer—but I can get to the robots.”
I hate to disappoint her, but . . . “You really think they’re just going to give up classified info if you ask nicely?”